The Empress of his Heart

SURRENDERING TO THE DIVINE PLAN

NITYA 

"The coronation of king and queen is going to happen in 2 days, be ready to be his queen."

My heart raced, each beat echoing in my ears as I tried to steady my breath. The voice of Riddhaan's grandfather still echoed in my mind. Those words felt like a distant yet looming storm, coming closer with each passing second. I could almost hear the voice of my grandfather booming in my head again, reminding me that in two days, the coronation would happen. I was about to become his queen.

His queen.

The thought sent a shiver through me. The idea of wearing this heavy attire was nothing compared to the burden of the title I was about to take on. My reflection stared back at me, but it wasn't just me in that mirror. It was the embodiment of every decision, every expectation placed upon me, and every tradition I had to uphold. I wasn't just a woman anymore; I was a queen in the making, a role I hadn't fully come to terms with. 

I stood in front of the mirror, my breath slightly heavy as I struggled to get into the lehenga. It was the heaviest one I had ever worn, and the intricate gold embroidery on the deep red fabric seemed to weigh down on me, almost like a thousand memories of all the important moments in my life. My hands trembled as I tried to adjust the dupatta, making sure it was draped just right.

Suddenly I received a call from Mayaan, my advisor, who was handling everything in France in my absence. His voice was steady, but I could hear the edge of concern that didn't sit well with me.

God, I need to step up in my Ariana's role once again it has been a long time.

"Madam," he began, his tone respectful but laced with urgency. "Jean-Luc's brother... he wants to avenge his dead brother."

I let out a quiet exhale, my fingers gripping the phone's edge tighter. This was not the kind of call I needed right now, especially not when I was still getting ready in my lehenga, for some rituals. Mrs Shekhawat had mentioned earlier that we were going to the Kuldevta Mandir for aashirvaad, a tradition for the new couple and my husband and I didn't dare argue against it but I'd never been the type to let personal matters get in the way of power.

"Jean-Luc's brother," I said, my voice calm but edged with steel. "You mean the fool who's trying to avenge the dead? Tell him I don't entertain tantrums from children clinging to ghosts of their relatives"

There was silence on the other end of the call, the kind that only fear brings but not to me or to others. I could almost hear the heavy breathing of the man on the other side, trying to form a response. Mayaan is hell calculative, he thinks before speaking and speaks what's necessary. 

The voice on the other end "Madame. He's targeting your shipments and meddling with the Marseille deal. His men intercepted the delivery yesterday. Looks like He's challenging your authority."

"Didn't he get the message when I put a bullet in Enzo-Luc-Dimaan's skull?" I said coldly, my lips curling with the venom of the name. Enzo-Luc-Dimaan had been a thorn, but I had pulled it out with ruthless efficiency. If his brother thought the story would be any different, he was gravely mistaken.

The hesitation on the other end made it clear that Mayaan wasn't sure how far this had gone. "M-Madam, he's been targeting—"

"I don't care what he's been targeting," I snapped, my tone sharper than the blade I kept strapped to my thigh. "You think I've been idle because I'm busy playing the perfect wife? No. I've let him play his little games because I thought it was amusing. But if he steps one foot closer to what's mine, I'll make sure the entire world watches as his empire burns to ash, brick by brick, piece by piece. And when he screams for mercy, I'll remind him that this is what happens when you challenge Ariana."